Redlegs overrun Blues at Unley

NORWOOD has recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in 2021 defeating Sturt by 21-points at Peter Motley Oval on Saturday afternoon.

In leading at every change, the Redlegs’ stretched their winning streak over the Double Blues to seven by converting a pivotal 49-35 inside 50 differential onto the scoreboard.

The Legs started the match through Captain Matthew Nunn who wheeled onto his right to boot the first of the contest, before Dom Barry and Declan Hamilton kicked goals to extend Norwood’s lead to 19-points.

Sturt responded swiftly through a goal from Tom Lewis before second gamer Tom Wagner found space directly in front of goal to convert Norwood’s fourth for the day.

The Legs continued to pressure the opposition as they led by 19-points at the first change.

In a tough second term, Sturt came out with a point to prove as they pressured the Redlegs booting the first three goals of the quarter.

Against the run of play, Norwood midfielder Jacob Kennerley found space to pick out Paul Puopolo who marked strongly from 35 metres out on a slight angle. Despite trailing, Puopolo made no mistake with his set shot handing the Redlegs a three-point lead at the main break.

Norwood could not have made a better start to the third term as gun midfielder Mitch Grigg found Cole Gerloff who marked uncontested from 45 metres directly in front of goal. A reliable set shot, Gerloff converted to extend Norwood’s led to ten-points.

In what was a rather contested game, the Redlegs stood up as ruckman Michael Knoll was excellent around the ground, while Norwood’s back six worked ever so well keeping the Double Blues goalless for the remainder of the third term.

Wagner again delivered by kicking his second, before Grigg was at his trademark best crumbing the ball beautifully and wheeling onto his trusty left foot bring the Redlegs faithful to life at Unley.

Notwithstanding the lead they had, Norwood continued to fight out the remainder of the match and when forward Jackson Callow marked strongly and converted from 50 metres, it all but sewed up the match and the two-points on offer.

Norwood captain Matthew Nunn continued his impressive early form with 24 touches and the opening goal of the game while teammates Nik Rokahr, Mitch Grigg, Brad McKenzie and Declan Hamilton all surpassed 20 disposals.

Ruckman Michael Knoll was impressive in his second game as a Redleg collecting 18 disposals to go with 41 hit-outs, nine clearances and four inside 50s.

The Redlegs now shift their attention to Friday night’s clash with North Adelaide beginning at 7:40pm at Coopers Stadium.

SCOREBOARD:

STURT: 2.3 5.5 5.6 6.9 (45)

NORWOOD: 5.2 6.3 9.4 10.6 (66)

GOALS: Wagner 2, Barry 2, Puopolo, Grigg, Nunn, Callow, Gerloff, Hamilton

BEST: Knoll, McKenzie, Rokahr, Wagner, Ball, Hamilton